Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by low bone mass and deterioration of bone tissue, leading to increased bone fragility and risk of fracture, particularly of the hip, spine, wrist and shoulder. Other than an increase in fractures, there are no symptoms, as bone loss occurs without symptoms.1

Impact of coffee and caffeine on osteoporosis

High caffeine consumption has been proposed as a risk for osteoporosis

Evidence for this association is inconsistent

A new study was carried out on a random sample of age stratified white women from Minnesota

After age adjustment there was no association between overall caffeine consumption and bone mineral at 5 of the 6 bone sites studied

In the femoral shaft, there was an interaction between age and caffeine consumption so that high caffeine consumption intake was associated with slight reductions in bone mineral among elderly participants, and modestly increased bone mineral at younger ages

The study concluded that caffeine is not an important risk factor for osteoporosis; however, in elderly women, whose calcium balance is impaired, high caffeine intake may predispose to cortical bone loss from the proximal femur.

High caffeine intake has been proposed multiple times as a risk for osteoporosis, however, results from studies looking for an association have been inconsistent. A new study was carried out in 1992, on a random age stratified sample of white women from Minnesota. After age adjustment, results showed no association between overall caffeine consumption and bone mineral at 5 of the 6 bone sites studied. However, in the femoral shaft, there was a statistically significant interaction between age and caffeine consumption; high caffeine intake was associated with slight reductions in bone mineral amongst elderly participants, and modestly increased bone mineral for participants of a younger age. The researchers concluded that caffeine is not an important risk factor for osteoporosis, however, in elderly women, whose calcium balance is impaired, high caffeine consumptions may predispose to cortical bone loss from the proximal femur.2